Dylan Sprouse Reflects on Disney Experience and Challenges of Child Stardom

<figure><img alt="Cole and Dylan played twin brothers Cody and Zach, respectively, on “The Suite Life of Zack &amp; Cody.” Disney Channel" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CVA3QK62C5E5HLY7X3QQVIAL6Y.png?auth=0ffac5753b2fdc45c356e7c7b078da417ac3efa14506ec9bf8449dde2c3dc8af&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1396&amp;height=785" /><figcaption>Disney Channel</figcaption></figure><p>Dylan Sprouse, 34, a former child actor known for his role in <i>The Suite Life of Zack &amp; Cody</i>, discussed his experiences in the entertainment industry during an appearance on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4aSMbdssWA" rel=""><i>Wildmen</i></a> podcast. He described working on television as akin to a day job, stating, "You go in, you clock in, you clock out, you have a cubicle, you work, obviously, you’re on a stage, and it’s different, but it’s the same hours."</p><img alt="Dylan Sprouse, 34, starred as Zack in “The Suite Life of Zack &amp; Cody" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/LEY4WCFBUZH65C7FATIJRTXIOQ.JPG?auth=dab7237560d5c5653e6cc78b5952a2a17f1586239f20cd351046191dca5fb798&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5592&amp;height=3728" /><p>Sprouse and his twin brother, Cole, starred as twins Zack and Cody from 2005 to 2008 and continued their roles in the spinoff <i>Suite Life on Deck</i> from 2008 to 2011. The twins began their careers in commercials at eight months old and were featured in the series <i>Grace Under Fire</i> and the film <i>Big Daddy</i> in 1999.</p><p>Sprouse remarked, "We’re beating around the bush, but it’s child labor. Some kids used to work in coal mines and guard the mine cart door when they were 15; we just sang and danced. It’s still child labor!"</p><img alt="Cole and Dylan played twin brothers Cody and Zach, respectively, on “The Suite Life of Zack &amp; Cody." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CVA3QK62C5E5HLY7X3QQVIAL6Y.png?auth=0ffac5753b2fdc45c356e7c7b078da417ac3efa14506ec9bf8449dde2c3dc8af&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1396&amp;height=785" /><p>He explained that growing up in the industry fostered a workaholic attitude, leading to feelings of emptiness when productions ended. "It feels like my self-esteem, for a long time, was tied integrally into my ability to work and be on set," he said.</p><p>Sprouse acknowledged the challenges he faced during his youth, attributing part of his resilience to having his twin brother by his side. Both brothers have continued acting, with Sprouse appearing in films such as <i>Beautiful Disaster</i> and <i>Aftermath</i>, while Cole plays Jughead Jones in the CW series <i>Riverdale</i>.</p><img alt="Dylan Sprouse hosts the podcast “Wildmen” with writer Brendan Columbus. / YouTube/Wildmen Podcast" height="1106" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/FRWPISEPORF6TGGUMEZMNKTGEU.png?auth=f2a4bcd522fc1624f35618e894e922338f247410fb9001c7a3d6126ef08587bb&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1974&amp;height=1106" width="1974" /><p>In a previous interview with the Daily Beast in 2021, Sprouse discussed broader issues within the industry, stating, "I think this has everything to do with the industry as a whole, and what it demands, and how the industry is turning particularly young kids into money-making machines. I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong, but I think it represents a moral gray area." He expressed gratitude for his early work while also acknowledging the lack of agency he felt during that time.</p><p><i>Obsessed with pop culture and entertainment? Follow us on </i><a href="https://obsessed.substack.com/" rel=""><i>Substack</i></a><i> and </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheObsessedChannel" rel=""><i>YouTube</i></a><i> for even more coverage.</i></p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/child-star-dylan-sprouse-compares-disney-show-to-working-in-coal-mines/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>